In The Tall Grass

Self-Published

Community Rating

Description

Elizabeth Wilson is golden girl among her peers in Darkwood, Washington. A role model who is the exception to the cynical and degenerate peers. A beacon of hope. All of that changes when her trust is slowly broken and the facade of the perfect girl starts to wear down. Explore the tragedy of Elizabeth's emotional and psychological breakdown that led her to take her own life. A story about succumbing the malice and hopeless cycle of suffering we all unknowingly drag each other to live.

This is the prequel to the main story, Petrichor and was never intended to be made. I wrote this because I wanted to explore Elizabeth's character and show how the main characters have changed since this event. https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/49146/petrichor-act-one

Information

Status
Completed
Year
2017
Author
PublicApology

Tags

FEMALE LEADTRAGEDYDRAMASLICE OF LIFESCHOOL LIFEPSYCHOLOGICALCONTEMPORARY

Royal Road Stats

Rating
4.5/ 5.0
Followers
13
Views
21,146

Chapters(23 total)

Reviews

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Community Reviews(4)

  • Kay'oRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 5.0
    Quality content. I read this and the other parts of the story in one go. Keep up the good work. I dont have 50 words, it was just a good old deppressing story. Check check check check it it  it it it out out out out out out out out out out
  • murderofcrowesRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 5.0
    Wow, This story is unlike anything else I have ever read. This story is incredibly dark and compelling and tragic, I was hooked by the opening sentence.
    This story is about the main character's downward spiral into depression and madness. The style of how it's written allows the reader to understand how everything keeps piling up for the main character that leads her down this path. You get to experience all the emotions the main character feels throughout her journey that really fleshes out her character to be real. She can come off as a bratty teenager and unlikable at times but I feel that it sets her apart from most protagonists. She's deeply flawed and she slowly recognizes that in herself while she gets tired of everyone seeing her as perfect and it really adds to her character.
    The side characters are really fleshed out as well with most having distinctive personalities. Each one of them enriches the story whether it be with their conflict with the main character or their friendship as they build this connection with her throughout the story that sets up the original story as the author mentioned.
    There are several themes in this story that the main character explores on her journey of self-deprecation that fit very well with the mood of the story although it can get old as they aren't subtle. They complement very well with the story even though they're not complex themes. I think I found about four themes though I may be wrong.
    Overall, this is an amazingly told story that probably deserves to get more recognition as it stands out in the sea of fantasy novels on this website. I'm very aware of the author's ongoing work and look forward to it.
  • JajkolRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 4.5
    This is not the normal story I've come to expect on Royal Road. I almost did not read it, passing it over on the first few glances as meant for another audience. Instead, I am glad I chose to read it!
    I like the style. It is smooth and consistent and the perspective is limited to a single, first person character. I find this extremely important when the author chooses a first person perspective because it can be disjointing to jump in and out of different heads.
    The grammar is decent but not perfect. There are a couple situations where the wrong tense has been used and an extra proof-read would not hurt but the vast majority of the work is correct and easily readable.
    I love the story! It is dark and tragic and the author does a good job fleshing out a dark, self - destructive spiral as the main character works her way to the end. I think that it is particularly effective that the author does not choose any single event to be a catalyst, but instead chooses to flesh out a series of small disappointments and a growing number of poor choices that build to a tremendous result.
    Finally, the characters all stand out and are consistently characterized. The author did a good job setting each of the named characters apart and while many of them are static, that is fine because this story is really only about one person.
    The author fleshes out the main character and her emotions well and does an equally good job progressing her as the story unfolds and she is exposed to new and disappointing truths about herself. It is interesting and sad to watch as her disillusionment with the world and her peers is unravelled and increasingly internalized as disappointment with herself. Her actions from one chapter to the next are a consistent evolution and I had no trouble believing in the end that her final actions were consistent with the train of logic she had developed.
    Overall the story is well done and interesting to read. Once I started I could barely wait for the next chapter to
  • NecroauraRoyal Road
    ★★★★★ 4.5
    It is a interesting perspective. I really recommend reading it, as it is unique. I rate it 4.5/5 since there is no epilogue atm, and that left me kind of unsatisfied. Otherwise props to the author